New Agent Developed for Molecular Breast Imaging

A new imaging agent has been designed to assist in the evaluation of breast lesions in some women who have had an abnormal mammogram, or who have a palpable breast mass.

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc. (North Billerica, MA, USA), reported that the latest molecular breast imaging study findings on the company's leading imaging agent, Cardiolite (kit for the preparation of technetium Tc99m sestamibi for injection) were presented on September 7, 2008, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's 2008 Breast Cancer Symposium in Washington, DC, USA.

"This promising new study on molecular breast imaging provides encouraging data for millions of women and families who are impacted by breast cancer and sheds light on potential new diagnostic approaches for finding tumors in women who have dense breast tissue, which can confound mammograms,” stated Don Kiepert, president and chief executive officer of Lantheus Medical Imaging. "We are proud to supply the imaging agent for this important clinical effort. Breast cancer is a devastating disease, and we recognize how important and valuable early detection is for women.”

The imaging test is not used for screening, or in place of a mammogram. In this test, a woman receives an injection of a small amount of a short-lived radioactive substance called Cardiolite, which is taken up by cancer cells, and a gamma camera is used to obtain images of the breasts.

Cardiolite, formerly marketed as Miraluma for the breast cancer imaging indication, is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration- (FDA)-approved for planar imaging as a second line diagnostic drug after mammography to assist in the evaluation of breast lesions in patients with an abnormal mammogram or a palpable breast mass. Cardiolite is not indicated for breast cancer screening, or to confirm the presence or absence of a malignancy, and is not an alternative to biopsy. Cardiolite is also indicated for detecting coronary artery disease by localizing myocardial ischemia (reversible defects) and infarction (non-reversible defects), in assessing myocardial function and developing information for use in patient management decisions.

Lantheus Medical Imaging is a developer in diagnostic medicine in discovering, developing, and marketing innovative medical imaging agents.

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